Health is Wealth

Survey: Kratom ‘Very Effective’ for Chronic Pain

Meanwhile, lobbying efforts continue by the American Kratom Association to get the DEA to postpone its decision to classify the two active ingredients in kratom as controlled substances. Two congressmen, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisconsin) and Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Arizona) are circulating a letter on Capitol Hill urging the DEA to delay enacting its order.

“We hope to see a lot of congressmen and women sign onto this,” says Susan Ash, founder of the American Kratom Association. “The letter asks that the director of the Office of Management and Budget and the acting director of the DEA delay a final decision on the placement of kratom as a Schedule I substance, provide ample time for public comment on this significant decision, and resolve any other inconsistencies with other federal agencies.”

A similar letter is being prepared by a law firm hired by the American Kratom Association. Ash told PNN it’s possible the DEA will not formally act on the scheduling of kratom until well after September 30.

“When we’ve looked back at some of the other emergency scheduling processes that have happened, we have found that they will say it’s going to happen in 30 days, but it’s usually a few weeks after that. That’s just what’s happened historically. We don’t think September 30 is essentially a firm date, just based on history, but we are prepared in case it is.”

Ash said her organization would seek a restraining order from a judge if the emergency scheduling is implemented by DEA.